vernac, is flbrat's link helpful, do you have a group near you?

I'm joining and will learn more, this sounds like a terrific organization. I think the forgotten matter about heart attack recovery is the mental depression that just about always sets in. Changing lifestyle is very difficult, and quitting smoking, altering diet and drinking habits, exercising, sexual issues from heart drugs, and more make boards like this and support groups important.

Thanks, flbrat.

vernac, as stated in other post on this board, we have all gone through some sort of depression and or despair. What I have found to work for me is socializing. Online or at the grocery store any were some one will talk with me. The state of mind is very important.Hang in there.

hi everyone i am 46yrs old i had a heart attack last halloween i have recently been diagnosed with heart failure, i am short of breath and cough all the time and i am very tired but the doctors wont tell me anything can anyone enlighten me please.

Hi, Reedelan.....I hope you are watching your sodium intake and also the amount of liquids you drink. Are you on any meds? Did you do the usual, like change your diet, lose weight, exercise, etc? Or maybe they did not give you this lecture. Heart "failure" makes it sound like you are dying, and it is very scary to be told that, but really, it CAN be managed and people can live an active and life with it. We are here to offer support and suggestions. I have been in heart failure for 8 years, and I feel better than ever. Take care
Sue

hi sue, i was told i have severe lv dysfunction,i am very tired and cough all the time docs wont tell me anything.

also sue,i am on aspirin,clopidogrel, atorvastatin, lisinopril 30mg, metformin,bisoprolol, gliclazide and gtn spray, i have diabetes,high blood pressure,angina doctor said i tick all the boxes,yesterday he asked me if i would like to donate my organs,i said yes but can you wait until i die first.x

reeldalon, Sorry for your situation. I think I take all your meds plus Ranexa, a wonderful drug that maximizes the amount of oxygen your heart can accept. Sue gave wonderful advice. It's time to think how you can help yourself now. I think the best thing I did for myself was slowly lose weight and slowly get in physical condition to walk for exercise. The weight loss was very slow, about a pound a month, but I've lost about 50 pounds over six years and went from injecting for diabetes, to pills, to nothing. Controlling diabetes I think is vital to heart health. Whatever little steps you can take to improve your situation will be a positive. In the words of the great coach Jim Valvano, "Never give up. Just never give up." Use this board to ask questions, vent or whatever. I guaratee you, someone has done that, been there. Best wishes.

thanks nwcoaster, i am losing weight,i find it really hard enegy wise,i think the worst part of all is the benefits system, the esa want me to go on jobseekers allowance i have a tribuneral next month is anybody familiar with these, they have got me stressed i have worked in building sector since i was 15,i have no energy to work at moment. thanks

Hey Ya'll, help me understand. Husband has ICD it keeps going off almost daily.needs transplant per dr. how many times can ICD fire before heart can't take anymore. Kay

hi vernac, my name is alan if you want to chat you can email me reed_alan@sky.com or on facebook alan reed i was depressed for a while but i perked up i think about the many people who are worse off like them poor young lads in afghanistan i am here if you want to talk. see ya.

hi, kcb, that is awful that your husband's ICD goes off every day. I cannot imagine the anxiety that must cause. Can they chaNGE the settings, or is this truly a lifessaving shock every time. The shock from an ICD is really much lower than the kind of shock one gets from the extenal paddles, but still, it must affect the heart in some way, I would think. Have you gotten a second opinion? Take care
Sue

Hey Sue, we've had seconds opinions and thirds. yes each time it is a lifesaving shock. If he didn't have it he'd be gone by now. This thing has gone off 4 times since the 13th of july. I just don't know how much more he can handle. Ricky is still a young man. But the heart is getting older every day

Gretta:
Hi. I'm new here but glad I found it. My husband just turned 56 years old and has been diagnosed with CHF/cardiomyopathy with an EF of 20. His heart is also out of sync. This is a result of chemo he had 11 years ago for non-hodgkins lymphoma. It started about 2 months ago with shortness of breath, irregular heart beats and fatigue. He could not sleep at night because he couldn't breath. Last week he had a heart cath where they found all of his problems. He is scheduled to have a defibrulator/pace maker put in Aug 4th. I am a nervous wreck and don't know what to expect. Please forgive my spelling of these medical terms, as this is new to me. thanks.

hi gretta,sorry to hear about your husbands problems, the people on this site do respond eventually,i feel there is not enough help for people with heart conditions i have also found that you dont get told the truth well i certainly was not,i am only 46 i get short of breath and cough especially at bedtime and very tired,did your husband have a heart attack.

i have seen more life in a tramps vest than there is on this site , come-on people get chatting.

Reedalan2, no heart attack. Cardiomyopathy due to his chemo 11 years ago. I have heard all kinds of stories on what to expect. And you are correct, I don't think we are being told everything. How are you doing?

Gretta, I was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy, LBBB and CHF about five years ago (EF avg around 12). I was 48. Five years ago I got my first ICD. It was replaced this last April. The quality of life greatly improved with the implant. Improvement continued with living a more healthy lifestyle. Sodium restriction and regular exercise being the two key elements.

Honestly, I am very happy that the doctors went this route for me.

Oh, you might find that people see your posts quicker if you start a new topic.

hi gretta, i am new to all this,i have just been diagnosed with severe lv dysfunction i had to find out myself what that means i had a massive heart attack 8 mths ago i have angina,diabetes high blood pressure doctor saya i tick all the boxes, its the benefits system i cant understand,if you are drink or drug dependant you get everything i have been told to go on jobseekers allowance i have an appeal in a few weeks,do you or anyone else know anything about the benefits system.thanks.Alan

Alan, where are you?

i am in sunderland united kingdom,thanks.

Sorry Alan, not at all versed on benefit system iun the UK. Noticed on the news wires about the NHS and possible cuts coming up unfortunately. I believe that the article appeared yesterday linked from The Telegraph.

My husband will have an ICD/pacemaker put in aug 4th. We don't know what to expect after. Doctors are vague. Will he be able to drive? Will he be able to go back to work? We travel. Will he be able to drive long distances without fear of that thing going off? So many questions that the doctors never answered. Thanks everyone. I'm from upstate NY.

He has CHF/cardiomyopathy with 20 EF and irregular heart beats. Although his meds have helped.

hi,i have had 3 heart attacks, 3 bypasses, 12 stents. but i have been real tired and a lot of fluid build up. iam getting kind of worried,

Hi Cinnamon. Have you told the doctor and if so what did s/he say? I can understand your being concerned. But hopefully the doctors will get to the bottom of this to give you some relief and peace of mind. Take care and be well!